Clarete on Pace for Breakout Freshman Year

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State freshman Karyl Clarete arrived on campus this summer as one of the most accomplished junior swimmers to ever don a Cyclone logo on their swim cap.

A Canadian native, Clarete attended Grand Park High School of Winnipeg, Manitoba until graduating in the spring of 2013. Before starting her career at Iowa State, Clarete swam under coach Thomas Edward Hainey for the Manta Swim Club, one of the premier swim clubs in Manitoba.

Under coach Hainey, Clarete enjoyed frequent success on a national level in Canada. Just two weeks after her 18th birthday, Clarete won gold in the 200 freestyle and the 4x200 freestyle relay, silver in the 200 IM, and bronze in the 400 freestyle at the 2013 Western Canadian Championships. During the summer of 2013, she won silver in the 4x200 freestyle relay at the Canadian Summer Nationals and bronze in the 400 freestyle at the Canadian Summer Games.

After closing the book on a decorated junior career in Canada, Clarete has wasted no time making a name for herself in the college ranks. With a time of 5:01.52, she notched her first victory as a Cyclone in the 500 freestyle against Nebraska, posting the 19th fastest time in school history in the process. In the 1000 freestyle in the same meet, Clarete touched in a time of 10:13.95 in the 1000 freestyle, just edged by Nebraska’s Baily Pons, giving her the eighth fastest time in school history for the event.

“So far, I feel great about the rest of the season. I am excited to see how much more I can improve at meets and in practice,” Clarete stated. “My goals haven't necessarily changed, but I am getting more confident and determined in achieving them by the end of the season.”

Head coach Duane Sorenson has recognized her has a major contributor to the team and a legitimate scoring threat in her first year on the team. Clarete, a middle distance freestyle specialist, will be chasing the school record in the 200 and 500 freestyle, but has potential to contribute to the team in other events as well.

“I think I can make a contribution in the middle distance stroke events, specifically the 200 IM and the 200 butterfly,” Clarete said.

After a fifth place finish at the 2013 Big 12 Championship, coach Sorenson and his staff have really focused on achieving a top-three finish at the next conference meet. The Cyclones are led by an experienced group of seniors, but this year’s freshman class might be the difference between achieving their goal and finishing outside of the top-three.

“I’m really excited for the Big 12 Championships,” Clarete said. “We are all expecting to get top three.”

With early concerns about converting from meters to yards, Clarete seems to have hit her stride after just one meet. If her times continue to improve throughout the rest of the season as she anticipates, Clarete will be on pace for a record-breaking freshman year.